# Getting Started

1\.  [Get your Alby web Account ](#get-an-alby-account-for-launching-your-alby-hub)\
2\. [Launch Alby Hub](#lets-launch)\
3\. [Connect your Alby Hub to the network and get your first lightning channel](#how-to-open-your-first-payment-channel)\
4\. [Top up your Spending Balance](#how-to-top-up-your-spending-balance-by-opening-your-first-lightning-channel)\
5\. [Connect your Hub to other apps](#how-to-connect-your-alby-hub-to-other-apps)

***

## Get an Alby Account🐝 for launching your Alby Hub 🚀

Create your Alby Account on getalby.com.

<figure><img src="https://2706948649-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWIUBf3ZZaBGu2ee6Y8lU%2Fuploads%2FRpNpgVWmUtw35fFDAahk%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=12a1ca4e-e05d-4026-9fe2-d8e8654a7c69" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The Alby Account 🐝 is **highly recommended** (though not technically required).

**Without an Account:**

* ❌ No lightning address (must create invoice for each payment)
* ❌ No email notifications
* ❌ Limited support options
* ❌ Manual extension setup

**With a free Account:**

* ✅ Get <yourname@getalby.com> lightning address
* ✅ One-click extension connection
* ✅ Email notifications
* ✅ Better support

**Create an Alby web Account** [**here**](https://getalby.com/auth/users/new)**.** 🐝

**Are you interested in a personal onboarding session? Book one** [**here**](https://cal.com/getalby/alby-hub-onboarding)**. ☎️**

***

## **Let's launch!**��

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/WIUBf3ZZaBGu2ee6Y8lU/blobs/RM55nAa40d2BjoZgmq3R/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Follow the onboarding steps, where you can choose between self-hosting Alby Hub or using Alby’s convenient cloud service.

After installing Alby Hub, you’ll see a list of tasks to complete the setup:

1. Open your first payment channel to connect to the Bitcoin Lightning Network
2. Connect your Alby Account
3. Top up your balance
4. Connect other other apps like the Alby Go mobile app or the Alby Browser Extension
5. Store a backup of your wallet recovery phrase offline

You’ll be guided through each of these steps.\
By the end, you’ll have full control and sovereignty over your money. 😊

***

### How to open your first payment channel 🛢️&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://demos.getalby.com/demo/clz2zpzys3dozz9kdr9ctnxq3>" %}

### How to connect your Alby Hub to other apps

<details>

<summary>How to Link your Alby Hub to your Alby account to activate your lightning address</summary>

Your Hub now automatically links to your Alby Account during setup.\
\
If the link is lost: On "Connections"->"Connected Apps, click on "Link your Alby Account". After seconds it should be linked with a green text mentioning "✅Alby Account Linked"

[why-do-i-need-to-link-my-alby-account](https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-hub/faq/why-do-i-need-to-link-my-alby-account "mention")

<img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/WIUBf3ZZaBGu2ee6Y8lU/blobs/AXLRiOMPhWCt6W6OeSyB/Aspect%20ratio%2031%20(20).png" alt="" data-size="original">

> **For Advanced Users:**\
> The protocol that links your Alby Hub to your Alby account is called [NWC (Nostr Wallet Connect).](https://nwc.dev/) This protocol is the same that is used to link your Alby Hub to many other apps on the app store.\
> On the link below we cover the subject of connecting Alby Hub to other apps.

</details>

### How to top up your Alby Hub

#### Option 1: Receive bitcoin in your Hub

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/WIUBf3ZZaBGu2ee6Y8lU/blobs/OLX3jQYrKZKTpxhnsDwR/bC9FMfCQfI.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Option 2: Buy bitcoin

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/WIUBf3ZZaBGu2ee6Y8lU/blobs/ZgjrXRlkBzrKOhdhIDO8/RFdKvMojV6.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% content-ref url="broken-reference" %}
[Broken link](https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-hub/broken-reference)
{% endcontent-ref %}

#### Connect other other apps like Alby Go or the Alby Browser Extension

{% content-ref url="app-connections" %}
[app-connections](https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-hub/app-connections)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% hint style="success" %}
🎈 Congratulations! 🎉 This section contains everything you need to get Alby Hub up and running! If you're eager to dive deeper and learn more about Alby Hub.
{% endhint %}